Five of the region’s best young equestrians have weaved and sped their way to earn a spot at the NSW Pony Club Association’s combined state championships this weekend.
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Three junior riders and two associates have been busy preparing their horses for the sporting and campdrafting titles on Saturday and Sunday in Gravesend.
Glen Innes’ Edith Newbury, Sam Donnelly, Shannon Williamson and Brendon Weiss will be joined by Walcha’s Matthew Ireland to represent Zone 13 at the event.
The Zone’s chief instructor Belinda Williamson said the local riders have brought home awards from the championships in the past and are every chance at repeating their success at this year’s competition.
"They are all good kids, competitive kids, good riders so we are hoping they have a good time and do well,” she said.
"In the past, Zone 13 has done pretty well.
"We generally get a pointscore or two, we usually have a rider in the state team.
"Brendon has won a campdraft at state championships previously.
“Matthew has been in the state team.”
The combined championships will see more than 300 pony clubbers from all over the state and across the border descend into Gravesend to compete in the sporting events on Saturday, the campdrafting on Sunday and the team penning on Monday with the polocrosse scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday cancelled.
Zone 13’s competitors will test their speed and agility through the sporting and campdrafting classes to earn selection in the NSW team.
In the past, Zone 13 has done pretty well.
- Belinda Williamson
Williamson said the team selected have been the fastest in the district consistently over the few years.
"You have to have qualifying times and places to go so it is no slouch matter,” she said.
"They are our top riders, not just anyone gets to go but they would have been the pick anyway.”